Approximately 1,000 people were gathered in Birmingham's Victoria Square on Tuesday (May 23) to pay respects to the 22 people killed and more than 50 injured in last night's attack at Manchester Arena.

However, the vigil was stopped when a male protester could be heard loudly shouting his opposition from a side street near Victoria Square, and the square was ultimately evacuated.

West Midlands Police were on hand to monitor the vigil and quickly moved into action to detain the unnamed man, who law enforcement says was carrying both an axe and a stick.

The Birmingham resident — who police say was already known to them and "is thought to have a history of mental ill-health" — was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

"Officers spotted the man acting suspiciously and spoke to him. At this point they have arrested him," Superintendent Andy Parsons of the West Midlands Police said.

"The man was carrying a bag, and as a precaution, Victoria Square where the vigil was being held was cleared for around 15 minutes.

"A small axe was recovered along with a large stick. We will be interviewing the man to understand his intentions after mental health experts have assessed his condition.

"I'd like to thank people for the calm and collected way in which they responded to the incident. The professionalism of our officers who responded to the incident is also commendable and indicative of British policing."

The world remains in mourning following the tragic events in Manchester on Monday night, as a man detonated an explosive device just as Ariana Grande finished the latest date on her 'Dangerous Woman Tour'.

A spokesperson for the singer confirmed late Monday that Grande was physically "okay", and she later tweeted that she had "no words" to express her grief over the deaths of 22 fans, including children.

broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words.